Table



Oct. 22, 1935.

D. F. FERNEY TABLE Filed NOV. 22, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet INVENTOR.

AM 6 m Wham W Oct. 22, 1935, D. F. FERNEY 2,017,844

TABLE Filed Nov. 22, 1954 2 Sheeis-Sheet 2 v INVENTOR.

flm/z/ /Z//76 ATTORNEYS W BY -i 31 1' Patented Get. 22, 1935 UNETE STATES FA'E'ENT muse.

18 Claims.

The main objects of this invention are: First, to provide an improved table of the type having a top compartment in which a plurality parts and very effective in operation.

Third, to provide a manually releasable latch acting to hold the top panel within the top compartment against the force of the spring ejecting mechanism.

Fourth, to provide a table of the foregoing character which is easy to assemble.

Objects relating to details and economies of my invention will appear from the description to follow. The invention is defined and pointed out in the claims.

A structure which is a preferred embodiment of my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an occasional table embodying features of my invention, the dotted lines showing the top in open position.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary transverse section taken on a line corresponding to line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a. top plan view of a table showing the top panels in an intermediate position, the dotted lines showing the final open position of the upper panel.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of my top panel I slide and elevating mechanism.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary longitudinal section.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary transverse section taken on a line corresponding to line 6-6 of Fig. 7.

Fig. 7 is a view mainly in top plan of the latch taken on a line corresponding to line l--? of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary view in section taken on a line corresponding to line 8--8 of Fig. 3.

Referring to the drawings, in general is an occasional, room or console table having a top compartment 2 mounted on legs 3, the top compartment comprising a bottom member 4, side walls 5, and end walls 6. A pair of top panels I and 8 are normally disposed within the compartment, the upper panel 7 having an ornamental flange 9 resting on the side and end walls and blending with the external design of the top to give the table an ornamental and attractive appearance.

The inner top panel 8 is provided with slides I E! having outwardly facing tongues l l, the slides being secured to the under surface of the panel 6' by means of screws l2. The slides H] are adapted to rest and slide on the end slideway members 13 which have inwardly facing grooves It receiving the tongues l I. The ends of the way members l3 are provided with tongues or keys l5 projecting into the vertical slots l6 of the uprights ll of the support l8, the support being of substantially U-shape as shown, there being a support disposed at each end of the compartment 2. The way member I3 is urged upwardly 15' by a bowed leaf spring l9 spot welded at to the center of the base 2| of the support. The arms 22 of the spring are curved upwardly as shown to elevate both sides of the way member at the same level so as to prevent binding of the 20 parts.

The supports are secured to the bottom member 4 of the compartment by means of bolts 23 having nuts 2Q exposed for manipulating the connection. The bolts are splined or otherwise 25 connected to the webs of the supports in the openings 25 so that the nuts 24 alone may be turned to tighten or release the connection. This provides a very simple assembly, the way member l3, support It and spring l9 constituting a pro-assembled unit to. In assembling the parts, the units 40 are merely positioned under the inner panel 8 to engage the grooves M with the tongues H, and slipped into the compartment 2 with the boltsprojecting through the holes 26 provided therefor in the bottom member A, the nuts 24 being finally screwed on the lower ends of the bolts.

With the parts arranged in the foregoing manner, the arms 22 of the springs I!) act to hold the top panels in elevated position above the compartment 2, as shown by Figs. 3 and. 5. With the top panels in such position, they are free to slide transversely of the table to the position indicated by Fig. 3. With the top panels in this position, the upper one I may be swung through an arc of 180 to extend or open the top; the top panels 7 and 8 being hinged together for this purpose by means of the disappearing hinges 21. With the top panels in open position, the table is converted into an attractive and serviceable bridge. tea or luncheon table.

For holding the top panels within the top compartment against the elevating force of the springs I9, I provide a manually releasable latch those skilled in the art to embody or adapt my comprising a keeper 28 and a latch member 29 disposed under the bottom member 4 of the top compartment. The latch member 29 is pivoted at 30 to the latch housing 3! which is mounted under the bottom member i, the latch member having a handle 32 projecting externally of the housing. Within the housing is disposed a leaf spring 3% which acts to urge the latching member into the mouth 35 of the keeper 28, the latter being mounted on the lower panel B for projection through the opening 36 in the bottom member 4 and having a cammed surface 3'! for retracting the latch member to latch the parts when the top panels are depressed within the compartment.

The mouth of the keeper is provided with an inclined offset 38 which acts to clamp the parts together in a very effective manner when the handle 32 of the latch member is manually advanced. When the handle 32 actuated to retract the latch member and release the keeper, the springs l9 elevate the top panels out of the compartment automatically as described above. Thus, the table may be quickly and readily converted from a library type to a bridge, tea table table type, or vice versa.

From the foregoing description of my invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that I provide a table of the character set forth which is simple and economical in its parts and very attractive in appearance, the elevating mechanism being entirely concealed and 'out of the way. With my latch, the parts of the top can be effectively clamped together and rattling is thereby prevented, a very substantial and solid top being provided for the table. With the panels in open position providing a table of the bridge type, there is a very effective connection between the parts of the top, making a very serviceable table and one which is well balanced.

I have illustrated and described my improvements in an embodiment which I have found very practical. I have not attempted to illustrate or describe other embodiments or adaptations as it is believed this disclosure will enable improvements as may be desired.

Although I have shown and described a certain specific embodiment of my invention, I am fully aware that many modifications thereof are possible. My invention is therefore not to be restricted except insofar as is necessitated by the prior art and by the spirit of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a table, the combination of a top compartment having a bottom member and side and end walls, a pair of hinged top panels adapted to collapse within said compartment when folded into overlapping relation and centered relative to the compartment, the inner panel having slides provided with outwardly extending tongues, end way members for said slides having inwardly facing grooves receiving said tongues, supports of substantially U-shape disposed within the ends of said compartment with the arms thereof coacting with the ends of said way members to guide and limit the vertical movement thereof, leaf springs welded to the webs of said supports and acting to urge said way members upwardly, bolts connectingthe webs of said supports to the bottom member of said compartment, said bolts being exposed for manipulation under said bottom member and constituting externally accessible connections between said top panels and said compartment, and manually releasable latch means acting to hold said top panels within said compartment against the force of said springs.

2. In a table, the combination of a top compartment having a bottom member and side and end walls, hinged top panels adapted to collapse within said compartment when folded into overlapping relation and centered relative to the compartment, the inner panel having slides provided with outwardly extending tongues, end way members for said slides having inwardly facing grooves receiving said tongues, supports of substantially U-shape disposed within the ends of said compartment with the arms thereof coacting with the ends of said way members to guide and limit the vertical movement thereof, leaf springs mounted on the webs of said supports and acting to urge said Way members upwardly, bolts connecting the webs of said supports to the bottom member of said compartment, said bolts being exposed for manipulation under said bottom member, and releasable latch means acting to hold said top panels within said compartment against the force of said springs.

3. In a table, the combination of a top compartment having a bottom member and side and end walls, a plurality of hinged top panels adapted to collapse within said compartment when folded into overlapping relation, the inner panel having slides, end way members for said slides, supports of substantially U -shape disposed within the ends of said compartment with the arms thereof coacting with the ends of said way members to guide and limit the vertical movement thereof, springs mounted on the webs of said supports and acting to urge said way members upwardly, means connecting the webs of said supports to the bottom member of said compartment, said means being 40 exposed for manipulation under said bottom member, and a latch acting to hold said top panels within said compartment against the force of said springs.

- i, In a table, the combination of a top compartment having a bottom member and side and end Walls, a plurality of hinged top panels adapted to collapse Within said'compartment when folded into overlapping relation, the inner panel having slides, end way members for said slides, supports disposed within the ends of said compartment and coacting with said way members to guide and limit the vertical movement thereof, springs mounted on said supports and acting to urge said way members upwardly, means connecting the webs of said supports to the bottom member of said compartment, said means being exposed for manipulation under said bottom member, and a latch acting to hold saidtop panels within said compartment against the force of said springs.

5. In a table, the combination of a compartment having a bottom member and side and end Walls, a pair of hinged top panels adapted to fit within said compartment when folded into overlapping relation, the inner panel having slides,

Ways for said slides, supports of substantially U- shape disposed within the ends of said compartment with the arms thereof coacting with the ends of said way members to guide and limit the vertical movement thereof, leaf springs fixed to the webs of said supports and acting to urge said way members upwardly, and bolts connecting the webs of said supports to the bottom member of said compartment, said bolts being exposed for manipulation under said bottom member and constituting externally accessible connections between said top panels and said compartment.

6. In a table, the combination of a compartment having a bottom member and'side and end walls, hinged top panels adapted to fit within said compartment when folded into overlappingrelation, the inner panel having slides, ways for said slides, supports of substantially U-shape disposed within the ends of said compartment with the arms thereof coacting with the ends of said way members to guide and limit the vertical movement thereof, springs fixed to the webs of said supports and actingto urge said way members upwardly, and bolts connecting the webs of said supports to thebottom member of said compartment.

'7. In a table, the combination of a compartment having a bottom member and side and end walls; hinged top panels adapted to fit within said compartment when folded into Overlapping relation, the inner panel having slides, way members for said slides, metal supports of substantially U- shape secured within the ends of said compartment with the arms thereof coacting with the ends of said Way members to guide and limit the vertical movement thereof, the webs of said supports overlapping said bottom member and the arms thereof overlapping said side walls, and springs fixed to the webs of said supports and acting to urge said way members upwardly.

8. In a table, the combination of a top compartment having a bottom member and side and end walls, a pair of hinged top panels adapted to collapse within said compartment when folded into overlapping relation, spring means acting to urge said top panels out of said compartment, the bottom member having an opening, a latch hous ing mounted under said bottom member, a latch member pivoted to said housing and having a handle extending externally thereof, a leaf spring urging said latch member to latching position, and a keeper mounted on the bottom one of said top panels and depending through said opening for coaction with said latch member to hold the top panels within said compartment against the force of said spring means, said keeper having a cammed portion for retracting said latch member to latch the parts when the top panels are depressed within the compartment.

9. In a table, the combination of a top compartment having a bottom member and side and end walls, hinged top panels adapted to collapse within said compartment when folded into overlapping relation, spring means acting to urge said top panels out of said compartment, the bottom member having an opening, a latch housing mounted under said bottom member, a latch member pivoted to said housing and having a handle extending externally thereof, a spring urging said latch member to latching position, and a keeper mounted on the bottom one of said top panels and depending through said opening for coaction with said latch member to hold the top panels within said compartment against the force of said spring means.

18. In a table, the combination of a compartment having a bottom member and side and end walls, hinged top panels adapted to fit within said compartment when folded into overlapping relation, spring means acting to urge said top panels out of said compartment, the bottom member having an opening, a latch housing mounted under said bottom member, a latch member pivoted to said housing and having a handle extending externally thereof, a spring urging said latch member to latching position, and a keeper mounted on the bottom one of said top panels and depending through said opening for coaction with said latch member to hold the top panels within said compartment against the force of said spring means, said keeper having a cammed mouth portion for coaction with the latch member to tightly clamp the top panels within the compartment when the latch member is fully actuated.

11. In table, the combination of a compartment having a'bottom member and side and end walls, hinged top panels adapted to fit within said compartment when folded into overlapping relation, spring means acting to urge said top panels out of said compartment, the bottom member having an opening, a latch member, a spring urging said latch member to latching position, and a keeper mounted on the bottom one of said top panels and depending through said opening for coaction with said latch member to hold the top panels within said compartment against the force of said spring means, said keeper having a cammed mouth portion for coaction with the latch member to tightly clamp the top panels within the compartment when the latch member is fully actuated.

12. In a table, the combination of a compartment having a bottom member and side and end walls, hinged top panels adapted to fit within said compartment when folded into overlapping relation, a latch member, a spring urging said latch member to latching position, and a keeper mounted on the bottom one of said top panels and depending through said opening for coaction with said latch member to hold the top panels within said compartment, said keeper having a cammed mouth portion for coaction with the latch member to tightly clamp the top panels within the compartment when the latch member is fully actuated.

13. In a table, the combination of a top compartment having a bottom member, a top panel adapted to fit within said compartment, spring means acting to urge said top panel out of said compartment, the bottom member having an opening, a latch housing mounted under said bottom member, a latch member pivoted to said housing and having a handle extending externally thereof, a spring urging said latch member to latching position, and a keeper mounted on said top panel and depending through said opening for coaction with said latch member to hold the top panel within said compartment against the force of said spring means, said keeper having a cammed portion for retracting said latch member to latch the parts when the top panel is depressed within the compartment.

14. In a table, the combination of a top compartment having a bottom member, a top panel adapted to fit within said compartment, spring means acting to urge said top panel out of said compartment, the bottom member having an opening, a latch housing mounted under said bottom member, a latch member pivoted to said housing and having a handle extending externally thereof, and a keeper mounted on said top panel and depending through said opening for coaction with said latch member to hold the top panel within said compartment against the force of said spring means.

15. In a table having an upwardly opening compartment having a closed bottom, a top said means comprising spaced top elevating units mounted within said compartment and under said top, and means securing said units in place in said compartment, said last named means being accessible for manipulation from below said compartment.

1'7. In a table top elevating mechanism, the combination of a slide bar adapted to be secured to the bottom of the table top and having a lateral tongue at the lower edge thereof, and a unit comprising a support of U-shape having vertical slots in the arms thereof, a way member for said slide bar having a groove receiving said tongue, the way member being provided at its ends with keys coacting with said slots in the arms of said support, and spring means disposed between said way member and the Web of said support for;

urging the same apart.

18. In a table top elevating mechanism, the combination of a slide bar adapted to be secured to the bottom of the table top, and a unit comprising a support of U-shape having vertical slots in the arms thereof, a way member for said slide bar, the way member being provided at its ends with keys coacting with said slots in the arms of said support, and spring means disposed between said way member and the web of said support for urging the same apart.

DANIEL F. FERNEY. 

